Cape York Employment

OVERVIEW

Cape York Employment (CYE) is the Community Development Program (CDP) provider in Aurukun and Coen (Region 60) and Lockhart River (Region 56 – Central Cape). CDP is a remote community program that prepares jobseekers for work while contributing to the goals of the community. Through integrated case management, CYE tailors a package of assistance for each jobseeker based on their individual needs and readiness for employment, and supports them to realise their goals and aspirations. CYE’s voluntary activities, shaped by intensive community engagement, are designed to support local communities through the development and application of local solutions. They are also responsive to available and future employment opportunities. CYE recognises the limited opportunities currently available within the Cape York economy and also supports jobseekers to orbit into employment beyond their communities.

OUR JOBSEEKERS AND STAFF

Community members who receive income support payments and are looking for a job are eligible to receive CDP services. In May, Mutual Obligation Requirements (a condition of income support) for jobseekers changed as part of the Australian Government’s plan to replace CDP with a new remote jobs package in 2023. From 12 May 2021, jobseekers were able to participate in activities on a voluntary basis, but with some compulsory requirements, such as attending appointments with CYE and other service providers or looking for work. Men and women who engage with CYE continue to be supported to build the capabilities they need to move away from passive welfare dependency and take control of their futures. TOTAL JOBSEEKERS

611 jobseekers made up CYE’s caseload at the end of December. CYE’s jobseekers are from Aurukun, Coen, Lockhart River, Port Stewart and other immediately surrounding remote communities.

TOTAL CYE STAFF

37 staff members were employed by CYE at the end of December, 43% of whom were Indigenous. CYE is committed to employing as many local staff as possible. This ensures we have a strong understanding of the cultural complexities of jobseekers. At the end of December, 14 (87.5%) of CYE’s 16 Indigenous staff were based in either Aurukun, Coen or Lockhart River.

HOW DOES CYE HELP JOBSEEKERS BUILD WORK CAPABILITIES AND FIND JOBS?

BUILDING JOB READINESS

CYE provides a framework and pathway to enable each jobseeker to make a positive contribution to their community and support them to be prepared and able to take up available employment opportunities. Each jobseeker’s pathway is shaped by their individual circumstances, goals, aspirations and the opportunities available to them. CYE’s approach is not about keeping jobseekers ‘busy’—it is about upskilling and building their capabilities so they can move away from welfare dependency and into employment.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Between July and December, CYE provided integrated case management to jobseekers in Regions 56 and 60. Under social security law, most jobseekers receiving income support payments who are looking for work are required to enter into a Job Plan and make an attempt to look for work. The Job Plan is an agreement between CYE and jobseekers detailing the activities the jobseeker will undertake to build their skills and experiences towards obtaining paid work. Mutual Obligations were removed in May 2021, and from that time jobseekers were not compelled to attend activities. CYE has since been consulting with jobseekers, community and key stakeholders to co-design activities that will support community and get jobseekers work ready. EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS AND JOB PLACEMENTS

Jobseekers are placed with a range of CYE’s partner employers. CYE also has a number of hosting agreements in place, which enable local community organisations or family and clan groups to provide a workplace for our jobseekers to gain specific work skills while also supporting the work of the hosting organisation or group. CYE’s efforts have resulted in jobseekers finding and staying in employment—some for the first time in their lives. However, like other CDP providers, many of CYE’s jobseekers also frequently move in and out of employment as they adjust to working life.

ONGOING JOBSEEKER SUPPORT

Jobseekers receive ongoing support and advice from the CYE team. This includes job search assistance, job and work experience placements and more. It also includes mentoring and support for jobseekers and employers when a jobseeker gains employment. At the end of December, CYE was supporting 37 jobseekers to maintain current employment. This support included providing PPE (personal protective equipment) as well as providing assistance and training to their respective employers.

Positive Outcomes & Impacts

SUCCESS GAINING RIO TINTO TRAINEESHIP

In October, CYE liaised directly with representatives of Rio Tinto to assist Trini Kerindun in gaining a traineeship at the Amrun Mine, near Weipa. Rio Tinto provides employment and traineeships to approved applicants from the Traditional Owner Groups, so CYE and Trini worked together to confirm his family heritage, update his resume and fill out the application paperwork. Trini was then successful at the next recruitment phase, which consisted of medical, drug, and alcohol testing as well as literacy and numeracy testing. He was then offered a traineeship specialising in plant operations, which commenced in November 2021.

JOINT SERVICES PROVIDING ESSENTIALS

Remote communities in Cape York often lack driver licensing and personal identification services found in urban Australian centres. The quarterly Joint Services events – coordinated by CYE – remedy this. Joint Services is a one-stop-shop for locals to obtain forms of identification, licenses and basic accreditation. During July to December, events were held at Lockhart River and Aurukun. During the events, CYE staff assisted locals with services usually provided by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, and Blue Card Services. They also referred them to other services on the day, including the Indigenous Driver Licensing Unit (IDLU), Services Australia or Queensland Health, who were providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

This support makes a significant difference in the lives of residents. It increases their sense of belonging and worth. It also aids in their employability and is often the first step on a journey to a better future.

A lot of CYE’s jobseekers have English as a second or third language. If community members had to travel to other towns or cities for these services, they would not get the specialised assistance they need.

In total, 216 community members registered their attendance at Cape York Employment’s Joint Services events. Local jobseekers obtained 179 licensing products while 37 locals also applied for birth certificates or other forms of identification.

AURUKUN ARTISTS CREATE MERMAID MASTERPIECE

The dreamlike mermaid levitates above the floor of the Cairns Court House Gallery. Its scales are vivid and intricate, woven by hand from an abandoned fishing net—ghost net. The creators—a team of artists from Aurukun—believe that their creation is symbolic of their community’s transformation. “A lot of bad things have been said about our community,” says Kailung Hudson, one of the lead artists. “There are a lot of good people in our community who want to move forward and leave all the rubbish things behind. Here, we have made something beautiful out of rubbish, and we are happy and proud to see it on exhibition in Cairns.” The whole project took 10 months and had five contributing artists. Elizabeth Hunter, Cape York Employment activity supervisor at the Aurukun Women’s Art Centre, said the mermaid was created to be showcased as part of the 2021 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. “When other Aurukun locals see the benefit of earning an income from artistry, it will encourage them to do the same. Inspiring others is one of the main reasons we did this project,” she said. The mermaid was on display at the Cairns Court House Gallery throughout November and December.

INTRODUCING WORK OPPORTUNITY NETWORK (WON)

WON is a new initiative of CYE that will build and foster relationships with students and then facilitate pathways to their employment. WON’s predominant offering wil be apprenticeships and traineeships in a range of industries, including hospitality, engineering, carpentry, construction and child care. The main focus of WON during July–December was to provide ongoing support to the graduates of Cape York Leaders Program, Djarragun College and Cape York Girl Academy. This culminated in a three-day workshop held in December. There were sessions on resume writing, job interviews, leadership and developing their plans for work or study in 2022.

WON attended the CYLP ‘Next Steps Conference’ to give the students insight into post-school pathways.

MORE THAN NUMBERS

In August, CYE, along with Glencore and Kapani Warrior, welcomed the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to Aurukun to train local jobseekers in the collection of census data. They completed an intense three-hour training program highlighting the importance of the census, privacy of information and the workplace health and safety of both themselves and other community members. Beyond the ten-week casual employment, those engaged with the census receive a reference from ABS as well as newfound skills and training that can lead to full-time employment within their community.

FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW UPSKILLING WITH FIRST AID

CYE staff, Konio Lynch and Vicky Yunkaporta have been busy passing on gardening skills to jobseekers keen to look after the garden around the CYE Aurukun Training Centre. Since starting this garden, they have grown cucumbers, pumpkin, corn, watermelon, banana, aloe vera and spring onions. The flower beds are also blossoming as well. CYE in Coen and Lockhart River facilitated a first aid training course for its jobseekers in November and December. The training, provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service, equipped these jobseekers with First Aid accreditation to increase their employability and value in the workplace.

The Coen Christmas Party started off with CYE hosting a big breakfast at the Women’s Shelter. All who attended enjoyed a big feed, festive activities and a special visit from Santa.

Local women joined CYE staff at the Women’s Group Program run by Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation. Here the women participated in workshops on mental health, healthy eating and domestic violence—all in a safe environment.